35 YEARS OF HISTORY AND ECCLESIAL COMMUNION
THE PONTIFICAL COLLEGE “MARIA MATER ECCLESIAE” CELEBRATES 35 YEARS OF HISTORY AND ECCLESIAL COMMUNION
The Pontifical International College Maria Mater Ecclesiae solemnly celebrated the 35th anniversary of its founding on May 25, the liturgical memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. The highlight of the event was the celebration of the Eucharist, presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, whose presence bore witness to the Pope’s closeness.
Also in attendance was His Excellency Bishop Rubival Cabral Brito, Bishop of Bom Jesus da Lapa (Brazil), who adjusted his travel plans in order to share this historic milestone with the formation community, the seminarians, and the many friends of the house.
Present at the Eucharistic celebration were the General Director of the Legionaries of Christ, Rev. Fr. Carlos Gutiérrez, LC, and the Vicar General of the congregation, Rev. Fr. Hernán Jiménez, LC, along with other members of the General Council of the Legion of Christ.
Approximately 110 priests concelebrated in the College Chapel. Their presence conveyed a strong sense of ecclesial fraternity, both in terms of their number and the diverse realities they represented.
Among the concelebrants were the Superior General of the Theatine Clerics Regular, Rev. Fr. Salvador Rodea González, C.R.; the Superior General of the Institute of Christ the King, Rev. Fr. José María Laxague, CR; The Rector of the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, Rev. Fr. José Enrique Oyarzún, LC; the Rector of the Pontifical Brazilian Pius College, Rev. Mons. Valdir Cândido de Morais; and the Rector of the International Ecclesiastical College Sedes Sapienza, Rev. Dr. Sergio Tapia-Velasco.
Among the guests from the Holy See’s departments were Monsignor Eamonn Mc Laughlin, Undersecretary for Seminaries of the Dicastery for the Clergy; Monsignor Graziano Borgonovo, Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization; and the Reverend Father Karilian Vale, of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
We were also honored by the presence of the rectors of the Legionaries of Christ’s theology and philosophy schools, the Reverend Fathers Juan Pablo Duran, LC, and Rigoberto Cano, LC, respectively. Also present were the superiors of the Legionaries of Christ communities in Rome and a large delegation of priest-professors from the Pontifical Regina Apostolorum University. Joining them in the joy of the anniversary were numerous priestly friends, alumni of the college, some priestly friends, and the parish priests of the Roman communities where the seminarians regularly carry out their pastoral ministry.
Founded 35 years ago from the vision of St. John Paul II, the Pontifical International College Maria Mater Ecclesiae, by the grace of God, has borne abundant spiritual fruit for the entire Universal Church. To date, the institution has formed more than 1,300 priests, currently serving in 295 dioceses across 52 countries around the world. Some of these priests have also been called to the episcopate.
This spirit of profound universality and catholicity is reflected daily in the community life of the center, where student priests, deacons, and seminarians from different nations and liturgical traditions live united around Christ and the Successor of Peter.
Following the Eucharistic celebration, a commemorative event was held in the auditorium, where a video recounting these first 35 years was shown. There was also an address by Rev. Fr. Carlos Gutierrez, LC, General Director of the Legionaries of Christ, who in his words of greeting made a profound reference to the mission and identity of the priest and recalled St. John Paul II’s invitation to “learn from Rome”; as well as Pope Leo XIV’s call to rediscover missionary zeal with courage and love. Finally, he made a heartfelt appeal to those present to continue supporting this work through their closeness and prayer, entrusting the future of the College to the maternal intercession of Mary, Mater Ecclesiae.
On behalf of the community, the Rector of the College, Rev. Fr. Pierre Salabert, LC, presented the Cardinal Prefect with an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the college choir offered a performance to conclude the event. Following the commemorative ceremonies, all those present—approximately 300 guests- They shared a table at the convivial dinner, which was also attended by seminarians from the Legionaries of Christ’s philosophy program and several invited laypeople. 
